Fukushima surfers fight nuclear restart

For the first time since the Fukushima disaster Japan, overnight, restarted a nuclear reactor. It's again polarised the country, with many fearing the reactor on the country's west coast is just as vulnerable to earthquakes and tsunamis as the Fukushima plant. And some of those fighting hardest against the nuclear restart are Japan's professional surfers who say Fukushima's coastline was once regarded as one of the best surfing spots in the country.

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TONY EASTLEY: Japan, overnight, restarted a nuclear reactor, the first time it's done so since the Fukushima disaster.

The move has polarised the country, with many fearing that the reactor on the country's west coast is just as vulnerable to earthquakes and tsunamis as those at the Fukushima plant.

And some of those fighting hardest against the restart of more nuclear plants are Japan's professional surfers who say Fukushima's coastline was once a great surfing spot.

Correspondent Mark Willacy reports on two surfing brothers from Fukushima.

(Sound of paddling)

MARK WILLACY: Hiroki Watanabe paddles through the foam and spray, out towards Fukushima's famous breaks. He's been surfing here since he was a little kid. But after the meltdowns and the contamination of the ocean Hiroki Watanabe and his brother Manabu are the only two pro surfers left in all of Fukushima.

(Sound of Hiroki Watanabe speaking)

"I love surfing and the water, it's been my life since I was a child," Hiroki Watanabe tells me. "But for a year I didn't go in the water because of the radioactive contamination. But I decided I must return to the waves because if I don't surf here no-one will go in," he says.

Today about a dozen surfers are out trying to catch Fukushima's famed right-handers.

Much has been made of the contamination of Fukushima's fishing grounds, but less about Fukushima's 20 beaches and surf spots.

These surfers don't really know how contaminated this beach is, but the lure of the waves is too strong.

(Sound of Manabu Watanabe speaking)

"I started to go back in because it was reported that radiation hadn't been detected in one test," says pro surfer Manabu Watanabe. "But I can't be confident because I believe the plant operator TEPCO is hiding the truth," he tells me.

Manabu Watanabe's older brother starts to seethe when I even mention TEPCO's name.

(Hiroki Watanabe speaking)

"My message to TEPCO is seriously don't mess with us," says Hiroki Watanabe. "Just tell us the truth," he adds.

Back at the Watanabe's surf shop, the brothers and their mates are watching a video of their recent pro tournament in Bali, laughing as Hiroki is wiped out by a big wave.

These surfing siblings have competed around the world and they'd love to see some of their Australian competitors come to ride Fukushima's breaks.

(Sound of Hiroki Watanabe speaking)

"I had an Aussie surfer friend here before the disaster," says Hiroki Watanabe. "So I'd love some Australians to come back and support Fukushima's recovery," he says.

Hiroki Watanabe then heads back out to catch another set, determined to ride out the waves and the radiation that's polluted his beloved coast.